The Gujarat Fire and Emergency Services Department has placed all 18 fire stations in Ahmedabad on high alert ahead of Diwali 2026, activating emergency helpline 101 alongside the existing Dial 112 service across six major cities in the state. Round-the-clock response teams have been deployed in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Surat, Bhavnagar, and Jamnagar to handle firecracker-related emergencies during the festive period.

Ahmedabad Deployments

In Ahmedabad, motorcycles fitted with mist technology and quick response vehicles have been positioned in densely populated localities including Kalupur, Relief Road, Lal Darwaja, and Bapunagar. Personnel accompanied by water bowsers will remain on standby along key arterial roads — SG Highway, Sindhubhavan Road, and SP Ring Road — to ensure rapid response across the city's busiest corridors.

City-by-City Deployment Details

In Junagadh, 120 personnel will operate in 12-hour shifts across six locations, including Girnar Gate, Dolatpara Fire Station, Azad Chowk, Jhansi Ki Rani Chowk, Zanzarda Chokdi, and Madhuram Gate. Bhavnagar will see 118 personnel deployed at 11 locations — including Ghogha Gate, Sanskar Mandal, Jawahar Maidan, and Khargate — also working in 12-hour shifts with emergency vehicles in position.

Jamnagar has set up response points at nine locations, with three main fire stations at Main Fire Station, Janta Fatak, and Bedi, complemented by four temporary stations at Samarpan Circle, DKV Circle, near Radhika School, and Sadhana Colony Road in Gin City. Additional deployment has been arranged at Darbargadh Circle and the firecracker market on the Rangmati riverbed, with a total of 130 personnel on duty.

In Gandhinagar, 27 fire and emergency vehicles — including fire tenders and water bowsers — will be available round the clock at four fire stations in Sector 17, Sargasan, Bhat, and Randheja. Vadodara and Rajkot will also have firefighting teams and emergency vehicles on standby, with all 10 fire stations in Rajkot remaining operational throughout the festival.

Safety Advisory for Citizens

The department has urged residents to burst firecrackers only in open and safe spaces, keep away from inflammable materials, and ensure children are accompanied by adults at all times. Officials stressed the importance of adhering to fire safety regulations to minimise the risk of accidents during the celebrations.

Why This Matters

Diwali has historically been among the highest-risk periods for fire-related emergencies in Indian cities, with incidents ranging from residential blazes triggered by stray firecrackers to market fires in congested areas. Gujarat's pre-emptive, multi-city deployment reflects a broader shift toward structured festival preparedness, particularly in older urban cores with narrow lanes and dense commercial activity. The activation of a dedicated helpline 101 alongside Dial 112 provides citizens with a direct, single-purpose channel during peak festive hours, reducing response latency. With teams on standby around the clock across six cities, the department says it is fully equipped to protect citizens and urban infrastructure throughout the festivities.